Only, Always, and Forever You

9 - Never Have I Ever

Amara's POV:

Cole and I eventually make it to the top of the stairs, and I let him walk in front of me since I don't know where I'm going.

As he walks past me, he doesn't even spare me a look, clearing his throat and keeping his eyes ahead of us instead. I think nothing of it and continue to follow him, weary not to walk too close behind.

We turn a corner down the hallway into a large, open space, and I'm impressed, to say the least.

It looks like a large lounge area, but it feels too expensive to be a casual space. There are white couches and chairs sitting around a large glass table. 20 people could easily sit in this room together, that's how many couches and seats there are.

There is a large, stone fireplace on one wall with a grand TV hanging above it. A beautiful chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and every hard surface is made of marble.

A small bar lines the wall opposite the fireplace, and sitting at it are two kids. I recognize them as our other group members: Luke and Ella.

Upon hearing us enter, Luke get up from the bar stool he was sitting on and walk over to Cole, engulfing him in a 'bro hug'. Ella gets up, too, and makes her way over to me.

"Hey, Amara! I'm so glad you're in this group or else I'd be stuck alone with these to boneheads," she jokes, but we both know there is some truth to her sarcasm...

I respond with a light laugh and we talk a little bit more. Ella has always been a kind, easygoing person, so, who knows, maybe I'll make a new friend today.

The four of us make our way over to the assortment of couches and chairs, and we each find our own seat. Ella and I sit on a couch, Cole sits on an armchair, and Luke sits on the floor.

"Luke, how many chairs are in this room, and yet you still choose the floor?" Ella teases Luke.

They must be friendly with each other already because Luke just gives her a look and makes a face at her, to which she laughs.

"Anyway, if we're all done bullying others for their seating choices," Luke continues while looking obviously at Ella, "We should play a game. Like Never Have I Ever or something."

Ella lights up and starts clapping her hands in excitement.

"We're supposed to be working on our project," Cole shuts him down immediately with a cold and emotionless tone.

"And we will," Luke reassures him, "But first we need an ice breaker or something. You know, to get to know each other more."

"I already know enough about you," Cole replies playfully, but still maintaining a blank face.

Ella and I laugh, and Luke winces and brings a hand up to his heart, pretending to hurt by Cole's words.

"He has a point, though, Cole. You and Luke know each other, but the rest of us don't. We should play!" Ella exclaims, the excitement returning to her face.

Cole meets my eyes as if he's trying to gauge whether I'm okay with this or not. To tell him I'm alright with this, even though he didn't ask, I add on.

"Yeah, it sounds like fun," a reassuring smile adorning my face.

Cole breaks our eye contact and shrugs at Luke, telling him in his own, nonchalant way that he's okay with playing.

"Okay, but we have to make something happen if you have done something that is said," Luke continues, a mischievous tone lacing his voice, "So, why don't we strip an item of clothing every time?"

The biggest smirk appears on his face as he wiggles his eyebrows up and down. Ella seems excited about this, for some reason, but I get really nervous.

I don't know if I should start stripping in front of three people I barely know, but I don't want to be that girl. I'm done being the nerdy loser.

Cole tenses and looks at me again for reassurance, to which I smile at him again. He relaxes a little bit at my gesture, but I can still see how tightly his fists are clenched.

Let the games begin...

"I'll go first," Ella volunteers eagerly, "Never have I ever kissed a girl!"

"That's not fair," Luke groans, still taking off his shoes anyway. Cole does as well.

None of that surprises me, though. Luke is known at our school for being a notorious player, so I assume Cole has gotten his fair share of 'action' too.

"My turn," Luke says smugly, "Never have I ever kissed a boy!"

Ella groans in reply, not liking how he used her idea against her. Her and I both reluctantly take our shoes off.

I'm lucky that I can truthfully say that I have kissed a boy before. It wasn't exactly enjoyable, but at my quinceñera, a family friend made out with me. He was too aggressive and probably way too horny, so I ended the kiss before it went too far... Good times...

I can already tell that this game is going to get dangerous really fast. I don't know how long my innocent, loser self will last...

"Amara, your turn," Ella smiles expectantly at me.

"Um," I start hesitantly, not knowing what to even say, "Never have I ever been in love."

Only Ella and Luke take off their socks, meaning they're going to have to take off something risky next time.

Cole and I keep our socks on, briefly meeting each others' eyes during the awkward interim as Ella and Luke strip.

"My turn," Cole states, his lips slightly curling upwards, "Never have I ever gotten drunk."

Cole, Ella, and Luke all take off a piece of clothing, leaving me sitting awkwardly in silence. Cole takes off his socks, Ella takes of the jacket she was wearing, and Luke goes for it and just rips off his shirt. I try not to stare at his bare torso out of respect, but Ella is all eyes on him...

"You've never gotten drunk, Amara?" Luke questions, surprised, "We'll have to change that."

I smile shyly and giggle, unsure of how he wants me to respond to that.

"Okay, we need to get Amara to take some of her clothes off," Ella starts with a smirk, and I stare at her with wide eyes, "Never have I ever had all A's."

I'm the only one to strip, pulling my socks off of my feet. So much for not wanting to look like a nerd.

"Now we're all somewhat even. Okay, never have I ever crushed on someone I know I could never be with," Luke suggests.

All of us take something off, except for Luke.

I notice Cole glance at me shortly before he takes off the black crew neck he was wearing, leaving him in a crisp white tee. Ella takes off her shirt to show her black sports bra, and Luke doesn't do a great job at hiding his gawking.

I start to blush hard, knowing I have to choose between either my shirt or my jeans.

I grab the hem of my shirt and am about to pull it off when suddenly, a broad body steps in front of me and holds my wrists down, keeping me from stripping.

"We've played enough of this game for today," Cole declares lowly while looking down into my amber eyes with his rich green ones.

Ella and Luke start to whine about him wrapping up their strip-fest, and I watch as his jaw slightly tenses while he maintains his tight grip on my wrists.

Eventually he lets go and goes to sit back down on his chair while the other two put their shirts back on. Luke groans loudly when Ella redresses, to which she lightly giggles.